Are You on a Need to Know Basis with God?

Many have asked, “If Jesus was in fact God in human flesh, why did He have to pray?” The reason is simple. When He entered the stream of human existence, He “emptied himself, taking the form of a bond-servant” (Philippians 2:7). The apostle had just explained that Jesus “did not regard equality with God a thing to be grasped” (Philippians 2:6). He gave up the divine prerogatives of intrinsic power and omniscience.

He could only know what the Father told Him, and in fact, did not know many things (e.g., “But of that day and that hour no one knows, not even the angels of heaven, nor the Son, but the Father alone” [Matthew 24:36]).

He could only do what the Father showed Him. This explains why He hesitated to heal the Syro-Phoenician’s daughter and was surprised by the faith of the centurion. Jesus was given a mandate, a calling, and a plan. But it required constant communication with God the Father through Spirit-inspired praying. He was given His ministry on a “need to know” basis.

Lord Jesus, it awes me that Your every word and each activity was dictated by God the Father. What an amazing insight that is for me to grasp as I lean into kingdom life! Help me to be fully engaged in listening to the voice of the Spirit. Teach me how to be an obedient servant, only acting in response to the movements of God and speaking as He gives His words to me. Allow me to be content with ministering on a “need to know” basis.

Prayer Points

Praise the Son of God, in whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge. Thank God for the depth of the riches of that wisdom and knowledge (Rom. 11:33). Confess those areas of your work or personal life for which you have forgotten to ask his wisdom and guidance. Commit yourself to calling out for insight and crying aloud for understanding, to looking for it as for silver and searching for it as for hidden treasure (Prov. 2:3). Ask God to let his discretion protect you and his understanding guard you.

Intercede for the parents you know who are struggling with raising their children, that God will open their hearts to his wisdom.

–Prayer Points taken from Patterns for Prayer by Alvin VanderGriend (Click on the blue title for more information about this resource).